LEX Internship to Japan

Learn about yourself as you discover Japan and other cultures on the adventure of a lifetime as a LEX intern in Japan. You will be immersed in Japanese and other languages through participation in LEX / Hippo Family Club activities, assist in the LEX office, and develop life-long friendships, all while living as a member of a Japanese family or families.  

LEX accepts applications every fall for an 11-12 month internship beginning the following September.  Read what our past interns have written about their experiences in Japan on our intern blog!  Download a detailed brochure.

Program 
The interns will act as a cultural and friendship ambassador, an assistant exchange program coordinator, and will actively enjoy and promote LEX language club activities in Japan. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
  • Making lots of friends;
  • Helping to process LEX exchange program applications from Japanese youth;
  • Assisting with English interviews for prospective yearlong exchange program participants;
  • Orienting delegates about North American life, high school life, cultural differences, etc;
  • Advising and supporting participants in LEX's high school exchange programs in Japan;
  • Acting as a communication liaison between Japan and the USA/Canada, as well as other countries;
  • Participating in preparation meetings, workshops, and orientations;
  • Helping write and edit English language documents;
  • Giving presentations on North American holidays and culture to elementary and junior high school students;
  • Visiting language clubs around Japan as a participant and to help promote our language clubs.
Interns will find that one of the benefits of working for LEX is the great people! Interns work with terrific people, from the staff to language club members and fellows, who will provide a lot of support and encouragement!

Eligibility and 
​Application

Applicants for this particular program must be citizens or residents of the U.S. or Canada between the ages of 18-25 at the time of application. 

IMPORTANT: Visa rules have changed several times since the start of the pandemic.  Please email us at [email protected] to confirm eligibility before starting an application.

Interns enter Japan on a cultural studies visa and spend part of their time immersed in some aspect of traditional Japanese culture.  Due to new visa regulations in Japan, we are currently accepting applicants who have a demonstrated interest in and knowledge of Japanese martial arts or ikebana.  We hope to expand opportunities going forward. If this description doesn't fit you, please consider a shorter experience in Japan with our WIP Internship. 

Interns serve as friendship and cultural ambassadors. Applicants should have a strong interest in language learning through LEX language clubs, international exchange, Japanese culture and world cultures, working with people of all ages, and living with host families for one year. Prior knowledge of Japanese is not required, but applicants must be willing to immerse themselves in Japanese and other languages. Previous participation in LEX activities and homestay programs is encouraged, but not required for this position. Members of LEX or our partner organizations, such as ERDT, MAY, PAX, People to People, Premium International Exchange, States' 4-H, and TGE, are strongly encouraged to apply. Essential qualities in an applicant include strong communication skills, maturity, flexibility, enthusiasm, and an openness toward all languages and all people. For previous work experience, we look for strong office skills, organizational skills, public speaking skills, writing skills, and experience or potential in advising and orienting exchange students. The intern experience is closer to an exchange program, with emphasis on human relationships and learning through discovery, rather than a professional work experience in the traditional sense.

Applications are due by December 15th. ​

​Note 1: Participants are strongly recommended to be fully vaccinated for Covid19.

Note 2: The LEX Institute in Japan accepts interns from other countries. Citizens and residents of Mexico should contact LEX Mexico; citizens and residents of South Korea should contact Hippo Korea; citizens and residents of other countries should contact the LEX Institute in Japan directly for more information and an application form (see below for links.)

Stipend
Interns will receive a small stipend.